DES MOINES, Iowa – Columbia sophomore Harry McFann was in action on Wednesday, competing in the men’s 800m semifinal of the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium.
McFann ran a good race but did not qualify for the finals after taking sixth in Heat 2 with a time of 1:50.91.

At the 600m mark, Florida State's Darrin Gibson fell in front of McFann, sending the Columbia sophomore into the infield and thwarting his position in the race. McFann had a good start as he was fourth after the first 400m with a split time of 54.09. McFann’s time of 1:50.91 ranked 22nd among all of the student-athletes competing in the semifinal.

Wednesday’s race caps a brilliant year for McFann, who proved that he will continue be one of Columbia’s biggest stars in the years to come. The Lions’ sophomore had two strong performances at the NCAA East Prelims in May to earn his spot at the national championships, using second-half surges to move into qualifying position. McFann set a new personal best with a 1:48.14 800m at the Swarthmore College Last Chance Meet, a time that was tied for 23rd in the nation before the NCAA Preliminary Rounds. He was an Ivy League champion this year in the outdoor 800m and the outdoor 4x800m relay, which set a conference record with a time of 7:20.53.

Columbia has two more student-athletes slated to compete at the NCAA Championships. Senior Kyle Merber will compete in the men’s 1,500m semifinal on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. (Eastern Time). The final for the men’s 1,500m is on Saturday at 12 p.m. (ET). First-year Nadia Eke will compete in the trials/final round of the women’s triple jump on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

Schedule of events with Columbia student-athletes still participating: